§ MR. LEA (Londonderry, S.)asked the Secretary to the Board of Trade, What applications made to the Board 478 of Trade by the General Lighthouse Authorities for the erection of new lights, the establishment of fog signals, and the improvement of existing lights, have been refused, on the ground that the present state of the Mercantile Marine Fund will not warrant such expenditure; and, whether the Board of Trade will initiate a Bill to provide for the maintenance of the Lighthouse Service out of the Imperial taxes, instead of the Mercantile Marine Fund, a tax levied solely on shipowners?
§ THE SECRETARY (Baron HENRY DE WORMS) (Liverpool, East Toxteth)I cannot, within the limits of a reply to a Question, answer fully the inquiry of the hon. Member; but I may state that the expenditure for no necessary works has been refused. All the circumstances connected with the condition of the Mercantile Marine Fund are now under inquiry; but there is no intention of providing for the maintenance of the Lighthouse Service out of Imperial funds.